Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said the emergency service received a call at 6.37pm on Saturday night.

“A man in his 20s suffered facial, neck and chest burns at property on the Portland-Nelson Road at Gorae West,” Mr Mullen said.

“It has happened at a bonfire.

“It appears the man was trying to light a fire with an accelerant.”

Mr Mullen said the man was flown to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne in a serious but stable condition after he was treated at the scene of the incident.